Branford Receives Open Space Grant

Branford is one of 35 towns sharing $9 million in state grants awarded for open space and watershed land.

Branford will receive $137,500 to purchase 21.98 acres of the Kaczynski Property in the lower Farm River estauary.

On Dec. 28, Gov. Dannell Malloy announced the town of Branford will receive the grant. The property includes several acres of important farmland soil, as well as a habitat to thousands of migrating raptors in the southern range of the Bolton Range Forested Corridor, according to a press release from the Governor's office.

“Land conservation is an important investment in our future, and moves us closer to meeting our goal of protecting 21 percent of Connecticut’s land as open space in the next ten years,” said Governor Malloy.  “These preservation projects are key to maintaining our high quality of life and making Connecticut a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The program, administered by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) assists land purchase using state bonds and funding from the 2005 Community Investment Act.

Branford State Senator Ed Meyer noted the grants support three towns across the 12th Senatorial District in purchasing over a hundred acres to be preserved as open space.

"Preserving open space in Branford, Guilford, and Killingworth is important to maintaining the natural beauty that makes these communities such great places to live and visit. These grants will allow for the preservation of vital wildlife habitats and scenic wetlands," said Meyer.